ADVERTISEMENT
“Aquino has opened the country’s economy for the benefit of big foreign businesses. He would even give them tax incentives. But we, Filipinos, are not getting the same. What would happen to us?”
At least 35 residents of a relocation site in Rodriguez, Rizal were killed this year alone in a suspected drug-related killing spree. Among them were three urban poor activists from Corazon de Jesus in San Juan.
“In fact, we want the DAP to be abolished including the Informal Settlers Fund, which has served as a milking cow to corrupt officials in the National Housing Authority and other shelter agencies of the Aquino administration, and a source of business capital to low-cost housing firms.” – Montalban Relocatees Alliance
Adelyn Valenzuela, 43, and her family said they have every right to stay in the 1.7-hectare disputed land. Their family, she added, has been living there for 17 years now. Others have been living in the area for some 40 to 50 years now.
“The government keeps on talking about development. We demand that we be part of that development and not send us off to far-flung relocation sites where there are no livelihoods for us.”
“We have no problem with the road project as long as it is legal and no corruption is involved. We only ask the local government, as well as the national government, to let us stay here. We will make do with what is left for us here.”
“Why are you still fighting? There is nothing to fight for. You will all be demolished,” residents quoted a security guard who was threatening them.
Mary Ann Florenda, president of Samahan ng Magkakapitbahay ng Road 10, said residents were given only seven days to leave their homes, as the notice of demolition was only issued on Apr. 14, 2014.
“I thought that our struggle would end when we accepted the offer to relocate. But now I realized that it is not yet over.”
I will only stop (being an activist) when I am already dead.” – Nanay Mameng
“We are here to show you that you are not alone in this violent and sad eviction. We will strive to do what we can for justice, for humaneness and for the fulfillment of God’s will to happen,” Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said.
“The January 27 demolition of homes of the urban poor in the North Triangle was “the most overkill” in the number of police forces deployed, teargas fired and high-powered rifles displayed.” - CTUHR
“The new wave of demolitions along Agham Road in Sitio San Roque, Quezon City, wreaks of violence and wanton disrespect for basic human rights. From the looks of it, not even an iota of humanity was present during the demolition.” – Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon
“This is supposed to be a basic social service to the people. But the government failed to provide it to us. Now, it is the capitalists who are benefiting.”
“We are expecting that these attacks against the welfare of the urban poor would continue this 2014. But we will continue to push and fight for our rights, for our livelihood and for decent pay.”
“First they tried to get rid of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. Now they want to get rid of plants and trees. What is next? Pushing for the transfer of government offices like the Philippine Science High School and the Office of the Ombudsman to make way for even more commercial expansion?” – Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate
“Aquino promised to provide us with decent shelter using billions of pesos from the Informal Settler Fund (ISF), but only provided us with far-flung relocation sites that lack basic social services and employment opportunities." – residents
A community of readers and supporters that help us sustain our operations through microdonations for as low as $1.
Save as PDF